Butternut Squash Brie Recipe

Butternut Squash Brie is an easy and deliciously cheesy baked appetizer with sweet squash, crunchy walnuts, tangy cranberries, and brie. Made with simple ingredients, you can toss this together in minutes for dinner tonight. You can mix it up by adding your favorite dried fruit or a different kind of cheese, so it is just how you like it. This will be delicious part of a chutterie board with some Cranberry Cream Cheese.

Archaeological evidence shows that squash has been enjoyed as food for the past 10,000 years in Mesoamerica. However, the squash itself was not grown in Europe until the 1500s. The very first squash recipe was recorded in 1591. But it was Charles Leggett who combined gooseneck squash with a pumpkin to make butternut squash in 1944. 

Ingredients needed:

• Butternut squash: Washed, peeled, and sliced into rounds. 
• Walnuts: Chopped roughly as small as you want them. 
• Brie: Cut or crumble into one-inch cubes.
• Cranberries: Dried cranberries are perfect for this recipe. 
• Nutmeg: For a slightly nutty and warm flavor.
• Brown sugar: For a rich sweetness. You can use light or dark brown sugar. 
• Cinnamon: Mixed with brown sugar and nutmeg for a sweet taste.
• Olive oil: To help everything meld together nicely.

How to make butternut squash brie from scratch?

1. Preheat oven: First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Rinse, peel, and cut: Meanwhile, rinse, peel, and cut the butternut squash into rounds and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet or dish.
3. Arrange brie: Next, cut the brie into small pieces and spread it over the squash rounds. Chop walnuts and place them on the brie.
4. Top with cranberries: Now, top with cranberries and drizzle everything with olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Bake your butternut squash: Last, bake for 25 minutes until the squash is tender and the cheese is melted.
6. Add seasoning: Finally, sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper on top of butternut squash brie before serving.

Recipe variations:

• Another cheese: Similarly, instead of baked brie cheese, you can try gouda, camembert, or gruyere.
• Other herbs: You could also add your favorite herbs and spices like fresh sage, smoked paprika, basil, rosemary sprigs, garlic, and fresh thyme. 
• Add seeds: Add some sunflower or pomegranate seeds on top for an extra layer of crunch.
• Sweeter squash: Use honey or maple syrup instead of olive oil for more sweetness. You could also use melted butter.
• No cranberries: If you are not a big fan of cranberries, you can use dried cherries, dates, or even raisins.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cook this on the stove?

To cook your squash mixture on the stove, add oil to a medium skillet or frying pan over medium heat. When it is hot, add squash rounds (thin slices work best) and place brie and chopped walnuts on top of each slice. Then, sprinkle on the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg before drizzling on the olive oil. Cook until fork tender and serve warm. 

Is brie cheese lactose-free?

Although brie cheese is made with cow’s milk or cream, it has little or no lactose. It is made with rennet, which breaks down lactose, so it is safe for those with lactose intolerance. Other soft cheeses like feta and camembert are also low in lactose as are hard cheeses like sharp cheddar and parmesan. 

What other kind of squash can I use?

If you cannot find butternut squash at your grocery store, you can try acorn squash, spaghetti squash, sugar pumpkin, Hubbard, kabocha, or delicata squash. You can use any hard-skinned winter squash for this recipe including sweet potatoes. 

How to store leftovers:

• Store: You can chill your leftover butternut brie in an airtight container for up to three days.
• Freeze: If you need to keep your leftovers longer, put them in a freezer bag and they can be kept frozen for up to six months. 
• Thaw: Thaw out your butternut squash overnight in the fridge so it has the right quality and consistency. 
• Reheat: You can reheat your leftovers in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. 

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Butternut Squash Brie

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Butternut Squash Brie is an easy and deliciously cheesy baked appetizer with sweet squash, crunchy walnuts, tangy cranberries, and brie.

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Butternut Squash Brie

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 321 kcal

Author: Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

• 1 small Butternut squash washed, peeled, and sliced into rounds that are about 1/2 an inch thick.
• 1 cup walnuts roughly chopped
• 1 medium Brie wheel cut into one-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• Olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Rinse well, and dry with a towel the butternut squash. Using a sharp knife peel it, and slice it. Arrange the rounds and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or dish.

   

3. Next, cut the brie into small pieces and spread it over the squash rounds.

   

4. Distribute the chopped walnuts between the squash and brie rounds.

   

5. Top the rounds with cranberries and drizzle everything with olive oil, sprinkle some brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

   

6. Bake the butternut squash brie rounds for 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is tender and the cheese is melted.

7. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Butternut Squash Brie

Amount Per Serving

Calories 321 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Polyunsaturated Fat 7g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 28mg9%

Sodium 186mg8%

Potassium 463mg13%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 24g27%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 10137IU203%

Vitamin C 20mg24%

Calcium 127mg13%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Cooking tips:

• If you do not have parchment paper, you can use aluminum foil sprayed with olive oil.
• To cut prep time in half, stir the brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
• Don’t forget to add salt and pepper to taste when your butternut squash is finished. 
• Make sure your oven temperature is correct by checking it with an oven thermometer. That way, you will know exactly how long to roast your squash.
• Roasted squash is a delicious dinner to eat for those who like sweet food but are on a keto diet. It is just the right size with nutrition, calories, and sugar in the right amounts. 
• Make sure you cut the top rind off the brie cheese so it will all meld together.
• Use leftover squash for other recipes. For example, you can use diced butternut squash in a salad, soup, or stew.